New Zealand: Holcim New Zealand Ltd has announced that it will spend more than US$80m on the construction of an import terminal and related infrastructure that will allow it to import and distribute bulk cement to the New Zealand market, according to local news agency Scoop Independent News. The terminal is expected to be operational in two to three years time. The location of Holcim New Zealand's new import terminal is yet to be finalised and the company is investigating options at a number of New Zealand ports.

Announcing the decision, Holcim New Zealand Ltd managing director Jeremy Smith said, "This represents a substantial commitment by Holcim to the New Zealand building materials market. It means we will be able to leverage off the vast resources available through the Holcim Ltd worldwide supply network to ensure that our New Zealand customers receive cement of a quality and specification suitable for New Zealand conditions."

Once operational, cement imported through the new terminal will replace local production at the company's Westport cement plant. Holcim New Zealand has signalled for some years that the Westport plant was not sustainable in the long term. The decision also means that the long-delayed proposal for a new cement plant at Weston, near Oamaru, is on hold for the foreseeable future. Holcim will, however, maintain ownership of its land assets for the foreseeable future.

"We recognise that this decision has an impact for our staff, customers and for the Westport and Weston communities," said Smith. "It's one we've arrived at after extensively investigating a range of cement supply options and we will be working through the implications with those who will be impacted by the move. For the current economic environment, constructing an import terminal and importing cement is simply the most appropriate decision."